Is the amount of social interaction needed in Japanese culture any greater than that in the US? I need to know in case I end up visiting or living in Japan. I shun social interaction outside of my immediate family. I have no desire for friends, dating, or public places.

Nobody's going to physically force you to hang out with them, miseryguts. What are you worried about, being dragged to karaoke at gunpoint? Do you think Japanese people are in the habit kidnapping foreigners and taking them dancing, or something?

Don't move to England. We'll make you come out with us and drink tea.

(I'll rephrase my post above: what would be the point in living in Japan if you didn't want to ever socialise with any Japanese people? If the only people you'll want to be about are your family, why move so far away from them?)